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Evergreen Climber

johnafutiajohnafutia Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Re: the photo below.

The hedge consists of Hazelnut and Hawthorne and some ivy, which is mostly dead. Up until a couple of years ago the hedge gave us privacy even in the winter, but our two new neighbours gave it a short back and sides, so now we are overlooked. It is obviously better in the summer but there are still gaps.

Is there an evergreen climber that I can plant along it that will fill it out so we can have our privacy back? Or any other suggestions please?


Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    The only thing I can think of is more ivy - maybe a variegated one?
    It looks very tall for a hedge - more like a row of trees - so it's not really surprising that it's gappy lower down.  Shortening them to be more like a hedge should encourage thicker growth lower down, but that would mean sacrificing some height.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    If the area gets some sunshine, you could try an evergreen clematis cirrihosis "Freckles" which flowers mainly in the winter, beautiful creamy bells with red speckles inside. It would take a couple of years at least to get growing to the height you want though.
    Another plant would be Trachelospurmum asiatica, evergreen with summer flowers.  As Jenny says, the hedge? would become thicker if it was pruned lower.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I agree, cut the whole lot down to the level of the shed roof, it will make a fantastic difference next year. It will grow very quickly after a chop. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    That's not a hedge.  It's a row of trees.  Cut the whole thing down to 6' high all round and it will thicken out and then, in spring, be clothed with foliage which will give you pivacy.   Keep it to 6' high and it will get thicker every year, especially if you keep the sides trimmed back to encourage new shoots.  Give the hedge a generous handful per metre of well-balance fertiliser next spring.

    Growing ivy, or another evergreen (especially hungry, thirsty cleamtis) thru it will be hard as the roots will be in competition for nutrients and moisture with the established hedging plants and then for light when the new foliage comes on in spring.


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    Also you have what looks like a laurel there in the centre?
    Let that grow to partially fill out. Though they do grow pretty big and fast. If you have it use it.

    Also depending how deep that hedgerow bed is, maybe plant in front of it, a bit of trellis oe posts or some support like obelisks or hazel if you take the advice of cutting back hard. You can use those (hazel) branches to support a climber or two.
    Like Lizzie27 Clematis Freckles is a good one as it does not need as much moisture at the roots unlike some.
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